The story continues.
When March 7th heard Kafka claim that the Stellaron outbreak had nothing to do with them, she immediately retorted angrily, "Oh, sure, like we'd believe that! What a coincidence—the Stellaron erupts, and you just happen to show up..."
"Besides, it's not like we're friends. Why should we care whether the Stellaron Hunters are innocent or not?"
[We should seal the Stellaron and help Xianzhou.]
[We could owe the Stellaron Hunters a favor.]
[What's in it for us?]
Streamer Xiao Guizi chose the second option.
March 7th pouted. "No way! I don't want to listen to her—the Alliance is powerful enough to handle a Stellaron on their own! We're the Astral Express crew, not professional Stellaron sealers!"
Kafka replied calmly, "Of course, you can walk away. Activate the warp now, before the Stellaron corrupts this sector, and you can move on to the next world. But in time, this star rail will be blocked once more."
"I can tell you what the future holds: If you do not go to the [Luofu], the Stellaron will eventually consume the entire Xianzhou. About half of its inhabitants will perish..."
"Brave Trailblazers, nameless travelers who walk the path of righteousness—I doubt you would stand by and let that happen."
"...And your companion, the one called Blade—he won't be spared either, will he?" Himeko asked.
"On that matter... I have no comment."
"The coordinates are here. The choice is yours."
"Though our goals may differ, the paths of the stars will inevitably converge. Farewell."
With those words, Kafka vanished.
Streamer Xiao Guizi sighed. "I don't know why... but in my eyes, Kafka's gone from a terrifying threat to just... a bad girl."
"Somehow, I don't even feel that hostile toward her after all this?"
"Wait—what's happening? Did I unknowingly fall under Kafka's mind control?"
...
[Chat]
"Streamer, you're not alone—I feel the same way!"
"Himeko and Kafka are both so gorgeous, I love them both!"
"Why didn't she say a single word to us after boarding? Kafka, don't you love me anymore?"
"She's the one who woke us up! Would a mother lie to me? Would a mother ever hurt me? Of course not!"
...
Seeing these supportive comments, Kafka was momentarily taken aback before letting out a soft chuckle.
"This generation of netizens... is truly amusing."
In the story, she did everything except good deeds—invading the space station, implanting the Stellaron into the protagonist, hijacking the Astral Express's communications...
Kafka had expected to see waves of condemnation. Instead... the opposite happened.
Was this the charm of Honkai: Star Rail?
Just then, March 7th couldn't hold back any longer. "Hey, hey! That smug look on your face is seriously annoying!"
"Let me tell you, that's just a minority opinion!"
"Most people, including me, March 7th, remain objective and rational!"
"I'm not buying your excuses."
"The Stellaron Hunters must have some other scheme. Otherwise... why would [Yu Ling] include that particular scene at the start of this chapter?"
"Once all your misdeeds are exposed to the players, let's see if there's still a place for you in this galaxy!"
Kafka looked at March 7th, not angry but rather with a hint of admiration.
"Not bad, little one. You've got spirit."
"So, if the upcoming story proves our innocence, you'll believe us?"
March 7th crossed her arms. "Hmph, only if [Yu Ling] writes it that way."
Suddenly, Dan Heng, who had been silent until now, stood up.
His sharp gaze fixed on Kafka as he spoke coldly.
"You're lying."
"First, if it were just a Stellaron eruption, the disaster would certainly affect Xianzhou, but not to the extent you described. Unless... there are other factors at play."
"Second, that Stellaron Hunter called Blade... I know him. His vitality is extraordinary—even a Stellaron eruption wouldn't be enough to kill him."
"So, Kafka, your claims don't hold up."
"Luring us to the Luofu... You must have another agenda."
March 7th almost wanted to applaud Dan Heng.
Seeing Kafka fall silent, March 7th put her hands on her hips and added, "Well said, Dan Heng!"
"Kafka, what do you have to say for yourself now?"
Kafka narrowed her eyes slightly, studying Dan Heng.
"...Another change caused by the game's progression?"
"In the original script, you weren't supposed to be here at this point..."
March 7th: "Hey, hey! What are you muttering about? Planning to run now that we've caught you in a lie?"
Kafka rose to her feet, her expression turning more serious.
"You're right. The Stellaron Hunters do have another agenda."
"But because of this game—Honkai: Star Rail—the script we had prepared has been completely disrupted."
"This time, I'm not making a [suggestion], but a [request]."
"My companion, Blade, is trapped in the Shackling Prison aboard the Luofu. So, I'm asking you to help me rescue him."
"In return, the Stellaron Hunters will provide... appropriate [compensation]."
The moment she said this, everyone's expressions turned complicated.
Only Dan Heng remained unfazed.
Because he had already anticipated this.
Now, Kafka's words only confirmed his suspicions.
Blade... really was trapped.
To be continued…
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